Though details are sketchy, one car apparently flipped and one child and two adults were reported to have been left in critical condition. Authorities say they were taken to St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach. Another adult was declared dead at the scene of the car accident. The identity of the individual was being withheld by authorities at the time this post was written.
]]> Police are likely still in the midst of investigating the cause of the car accident. As they do, they will focus on determining the cause of the collision, presumably by visually reconstructing what occurred. While it is far too early to reach any conclusions at this point, typically an official investigation points to one or more negligent acts that caused or contributed to the injuries or deaths suffered.In many car accidents in Palm Beach County and throughout Florida, victims who have suffered serious injuries may have legal right to pursue personal injury claims against any party deemed to have been negligent in a manner that caused the collision. These claims can include the cost of medical treatments, lost wages and other damages.
Additionally, families of those who have been killed in a car accident may have the right to file a wrongful death claim if evidence discloses the fatality was caused by the negligence of another party.
The hope, of course, is that those injured will fully recover and be able to resume normal lives. In the meantime, it may be beneficial to ensure that all expenses incurred as a result of the car accident are documented, along with any other relevant evidence from the crash itself.
Source: The Palm Beach Post, "One dead, three injured in two-vehicle crash near The Acreage; Seminole Pratt Witney Road reopens," Alexandra Seltzer, May 4, 2012
]]>Florida police say that the teenager was standing on the trunk of a car as it moved down the road. As the made a turn, the girl fell off, hitting her head as she landed. Reports indicate that she was unresponsive when medical teams arrived at the scene. The girl is in critical condition at St Mary's Medical Center.
]]> Local police are investigating this tragic accident. They have not yet filed charges on this matter, but report that they are pending. While police may cite the driver for illegal or negligent conduct, there may also be issues surrounding civil liability for the personal injuries suffered.Under Florida's personal injury laws, a victim of an accident caused by the negligence of another may have the right to seek monetary relief for any damages sustained in the accident. When issues exist concerning joint liability, the official report of the accident investigation may shed important light on the precise cause of the accident. While it is too early to know the results, all parties to the collision will likely want to review that report, together with any other relevant evidence, to determine their rights and responsibilities under state law. In the meantime, hopefully the teen girl experiences a full recovery.
Source: The Palm Beach Post, "Palm Beach Gardens teen in critical condition after 'car surfing' accident," Sonja Isger, April 27, 2012
]]>The car accident happened around 1:40 p.m. near Old Boynton and Lawrence roads. According to reports from police, a Nissan and a Ford Explorer were involved in the collision. The Nissan was apparently attempting to drive through the intersection when the accident occurred. The Ford driver apparently ran a red light and struck the passenger side of the Nissan. The impact forced the Nissan off the road and into two groups of trees before it finally came to a stop.
]]> The fatal victim, 86 years old, was a passenger in the Nissan at the time of the car accident. She was taken to Delray Medical Center where she later passed away. The driver of the Nissan sustained serious injuries in the car accident, as did the driver of the Ford.Police continue to investigate this tragic accident. As they do, they will likely work to assess fault in this car crash. When that happens, the at-fault driver may find that he or she is liable to the other victims for their injuries.
Under personal injury laws in Palm Beach County and throughout the state, a party who negligently causes injuries and/or death to the victims of a car accident may be held liable for damages. A successful claim may include reimbursement for pain and suffering, lost wages and medical expenses. Victims of an accident, or their surviving families, may wish to consider all relevant evidence of a car accident as they work to determine what, if any, legal rights they may have under Florida law.
Source: Palm Beach Post, "Lake Worth woman, 86, dies after car accident west of Boynton Beach," Julius Whigham II, April 23, 2012
]]>A 48-year-old Florida tycoon faced both criminal and civil consequences stemming from a West Palm Beach drunk driving accident that occurred in 2010. His criminal consequences are a conviction of DUI manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident. His civil consequences result from a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the parents of a 23-year-old man from Wellington involved in the fatal car crash.
]]> According to news sources, the 48-year-old allegedly consumed more than 12 drinks at an establishment called The Players Club. After drinking, he crashed his Bentley into the 23-year-old's Hyundai. The impact of the crash caused the Hyundai to go into a canal, where the 23-year-old drowned.The key element in the criminal case seemed to be the medical testimony that claimed the 23-year-old could have survived his crash injuries, had he been rescued from his car. Apparently he died from drowning and not from crash injuries.
Another element may have had to do with the 48-year-old's credibility. He is well known as the man who adopted his 42-year-old girlfriend as his daughter. In the criminal case he claimed that his brakes went out and that he left the scene to get help because his cell phone had lost its battery charge.
The civil case settled for $46 million before going to trial. The Players Club is responsible for $6 million and the 48-year-old is responsible for the rest of the settlement.
The criminal sentencing is scheduled for April 30. The Florida man could be sentenced to 30 years in jail.
Source: Newscore, "Florida tycoon who adopted girlfriend settles fatal crash lawsuits for $46M,"April 20, 2012
]]>The 76 year-old driver lost control of her vehicle and drove it into the front of a grocery store, reports say. The car struck 10 people as it crashed through the glass front, including a 3-month-old baby. An elderly man, aged 83, was trapped under the vehicle after it came to a stop about 40-50 feet into the store.
]]> No deaths were reported as a result of the car accident - something a police official called "a miracle." However, 10 people did suffer injuries. Reports did not detail the severity of the victims' injuries, but did note that the mother of the infant was covered in glass and blood.Florida police are likely investigating why the woman crashed through the store. Early accident reports state that they have found no mechanical issues with her vehicle. A determination of the cause may be included in the official report of the accident investigation when it is available. The driver has been charged with careless driving.
Unfortunately, this incident shows just how dangerous careless driving can be. Failing to pay attention to the road can put other people in serious danger. Hopefully Florida drivers will do their best to avoid distractions while driving. It could go a long way toward keeping the roads safe.
Source: Huffington Post, "Palm Coast Publix Car Crash: Video Shows Thelma Wagenhoffer Smashing Into Palm Coast Grocery Store Entrance (VIDEO)," April 19, 2012
]]>A 54-year-old passenger in the Aviator was killed. Two young children, one 3 years old and the other 8 months, were airlifted to St Mary's Medical Center. Both were listed in critical condition. Another toddler, 22 months old, was seriously injured and transported to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center and Heart Institute. The driver of the Aviator, two other passengers in that vehicle, the 77-year-old driver of the Toyota and his 74-year-old passenger all suffered minor injuries as a result of the car accident.
]]> Some of the victims of this tragic accident suffered severe injuries. Because of this, there will likely be significant medical costs and long recoveries for those that survived. Additionally, the family of the man who was killed in the car accident has suffered an immense loss that they must bear while they also hope for the recovery of the others seriously injured.Beyond the preliminary report of the authorities, there is not much known about the circumstances leading up to the collision, as well as the car accident itself. The parties will likely wait to review the official report of the accident investigation in order to assess their individual rights and responsibilities under Florida law.
Those seriously injured in car accident across the state may elect to file personal injury claims against any party whose negligence caused or contributed to the crash. In addition, the surviving family members of any deceased victims may wish to assess the potential success of a wrongful death action based on similar legal principles.
Source: Palm Beach Post, "Man killed, toddlers injured in I-95 rollover in Port St. Lucie," Scott Andera, April 7, 2012
]]>Located on the 21000 block of St. Andrews Boulevard, a UPS store became the center of attention on Saturday, April 7, when a vehicle came barreling through the storefront. A spokesperson for the Boca Raton Police Department said that the vehicle plowed through the UPS store's plate-glass-window entrance and stopped just short of the rear wall.
]]> The car accident occurred around 1:15 p.m. in the afternoon. Luckily, only one person was working inside the store at the time the incident occurred and apparently suffered only minor injuries -- scrapes and bruises. Reportedly, the driver was not hurt. As of right now, the accident is under investigation to try to determine what caused the driver to go off the road and end up in the UPS store.Everyone involved in the UPS store incident was lucky to have apparently escaped serious injuries. However, had the worker or anyone else sustained some form of serious injury, Florida law offers relief in the form of a personal injury claim. Such a claim could help injured parties to recover medical expenses, lost wages and other forms of monetary damages. With three such incidents in the last two months alone, pedestrians must remain alert for unforeseen car accidents, even, it seems, when they are inside a commercial establishment.
Source: WPTV, "Car plows through Boca Raton UPS store," April 7, 2012
]]>A recent accident involving a 34-year-old Florida man raises serious questions about premises liability at work sites. The man was working on the air conditioning system when a 52-year-old co-worker apparently cautioned him about metal sheets that were shielding a shaft that led to the ground. Subsequently, the 52-year old man could no longer find his the worker. The victim's girlfriend said she was informed he died immediately after falling 30 feet directly onto a concrete floor.
]]> Even though construction deaths notably hit an all-time low in 2010, the construction trade remains the second deadliest profession in Florida and nationwide. Moreover, Florida recorded 40 deaths in 2010, which is tied for the second highest level among all 50 states.Though the company for whom the man worked said the fall was an accident, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is currently investigating the accident. The federal agency is also running a battery of physical tests on the deceased worker to determine the actual cause of death.
The air-conditioning technician has left behind a 13-year-old child from a previous marriage. As the premature death is being investigated by a federal government agency, his surviving family will likely be interested in precisely what occurred and whether the building owner did not adequately maintain the building's safety. The man's family will likely be entitled to workers' compensation death benefits from his employer, but the building owner or other third parties could also face premises liability claims if it is discovered that they allowed a dangerous condition to exist without taking necessary precautions for the safety of those on the premises.
Source: Orlando Sentinel, "Hollywood man, 34, dies in fall from roof," Nicole Brochu, March 30, 2012
]]>Florida police reported multiple accidents on Interstate 95 in Palm Beach County during heavy rains on March 21. One accident involved a tractor-trailer and a car. The two vehicles were in an accident on the left shoulder of the highway, police say. Authorities were investigating the collision, and curious onlookers were said to have caused a backup of traffic.
]]> Another car accident occurred on the same highway involving three vehicles in the southbound lanes. In all of the accidents, there were no serious injuries initially reported, though the extent of injuries in the immediate aftermath of a collision is not always fully apparent. Accident victims sometimes find that what at first seemed a minor injury becomes more serious in the ensuing days and weeks. As this occurs and the police investigation are completed, those parties involved may choose to assess their rights and responsibilities in order to determine if a personal injury claim is appropriate.Florida's personal injury laws are designed to assist victims of car accidents. The law permits claims for the economic costs and other damages associated with a car accident. These costs can include medical payments and related expenses, lost time from work, as well as any consequent pain and suffering.
Source: Palm Beach Post, "I-95 southbound crashes between Southern and Forest Hill among many caused by rains," Alexandra Seltzer and Cynthia Roldan, March 21, 2012
]]>Sadly, police report that a Florida toddler was killed in a car accident on the morning of March 13. The 3-year-old child was in the car with her mother when they were struck by a driver who was said to have crossed from the northbound to the southbound lanes without warning. The actions of the driver, who was operating an Audi at the time of the collision, reportedly caused the accident at County Road 437 and State Road 44 in Lake County.
]]> The Audi first struck a Jeep, causing it to overturn. Thereafter, it continued in the southbound lanes before hitting the child and its mother in their PT Cruiser. The child died at the scene. Her mother and the Jeep driver were taken to local hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to serious. The driver of the Audi suffered only minor injuries and was arrested at the scene.Police continue to investigate the tragic car accident but have preliminarily assessed fault on the driver of the Audi. No reports of blood alcohol tests were reported, but authorities suggest that the driver of the Audi may have been impaired at the time of the crash. Charges may be filed as a result of tests and the investigation.
The victims that survived this seemingly senseless accident may have many months of recovery ahead of them. But the family of the deceased child has suffered a loss that cannot truly be imagined. No amount of money could possibly atone for the loss of life. Nevertheless, Florida law does afford to victims, as well as the families of a deceased victim, the legal right to pursue claims against any parties deemed to have caused or contributed to a car accident. These can offer some relief from the economic hardships suffered at a time when victims struggle to cope with the emotional challenges they may face.
Source: The Daily Commercial, "Toddler killed in crash," Roxanne Brown, March 14, 2012
]]>Police will continue to investigate the Florida car accident to learn why an Isuzu Rodeo veered off the road on the busy highway and struck a barrier before landing on its side. No reports were made as to weather conditions or other distractions that may have contributed to the car accident. It is too early in the investigation to know if the injured people were occupants of the Rodeo, though initial news reports did not mention another vehicle. The Isuzu was said to be registered to a Stuart man, though it is not known if he was involved in the crash.
]]> The injured victims were taken by helicopter to St. Mary's Medical Center with serious but not life-threatening injuries. Medical professionals will work to assess the injuries of the crash victims as they begin the recovery process. Understandably, there may be expenses incurred as medical treatments, lost wages and damages mountIn all Florida car crashes, authorities typically issue a written report. Such a report generally is focused on determining the official cause of the accident, and often assesses fault that caused or contributed to a collision. Those who have suffered loss due to a car accident would do well to gather all of the facts so that a determination may be made consistent with the exercise of their legal rights.
Source: Palm Beach Post, "Most turnpike lanes reopened after crash in Jupiter," Alexandra Seltzer, March 6, 2012
]]>A man characterized as middle-aged was pinned underneath the Range Rover. Neighbors who heard the wreck came outside and tried to free him. Fire department personnel arrived shortly after and had to use high-lift jacks to remove the man from underneath the vehicle. It was reported that 15 people were involved in the rescue mission, and the man was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. The other victim, said to be younger, was transported to the hospital on advanced life support.
]]> Reports do not state exactly what caused the accident, although witnesses reported seeing the woman at a stoplight earlier and noticed she did not accelerate when the light turned green. Soon after, the high-speed crash occurred. She was taken into police custody, but it is not clear whether she was charged with any crime.Drivers in the area apparently use the route as a shortcut between Linton Boulevard and Federal Highway, and neighbors noted that the 25 mph speed limit in the area is largely ignored. The addition of speed bumps has apparently not deterred drivers either. Now, two individuals who were doing nothing more than loading items into a vehicle on a private driveway are fighting for their lives. Hopefully this accident will serve as a reminder to others that negligent or unsafe driving can cause serious harm to others.
Source: Sun Sentinel, "One person trapped under SUV, second critically injured in Delray Beach crash," Peter Franceschina, Feb. 21, 2012
]]>A 19-year-old driver of a northbound truck lost control of the vehicle when the tread on one of his rear tires was separated. Losing control, he struck a concrete wall and came to rest crossways on the Interstate. Another driver swerved to avoid the truck, crashing into a third vehicle, setting off the multiple-car crash that ultimately included a fourth vehicle.
]]> Several of the crash victims, both drivers and passengers, were transported to local hospitals. Many were reported to have suffered serious injuries. Unfortunately, one of the drivers was killed at the scene of the car accident. Authorities kept the northbound lanes closed while they investigated the fatal crash, reopening them in late morning.While it is too early to determine precisely what happened, those injured as well as the surviving family of the deceased victim will likely press for answers as they struggle to come to grips with the tragedy. If evidence indicates that one or more parties were negligent in a manner that caused or contributed to any of the injuries or the fatality, legal claims for damages may be appropriate. Those involved would do well to gather all the facts and circumstances as they seek to assess whether or not a valid legal claim exists to hold any wrongdoers accountable for their mistakes.
Source: Orlando Sentinel, "Jupiter resident killed in I-95 Boynton Beach crash," Mike Clary, Feb. 20, 2012
]]>Indeed, a study published by Obstetrics & Gynecology boasts that the total number of lawsuits filed against doctors has dramatically diminished. By successfully attacking medical malpractice lawyers, laws have been changed to eliminate a patient's right to be fully and fairly compensated for horrible injury and death resulting from medical malpractice. Sadly, if a doctor fails to pay attention and amputates an otherwise healthy leg, he can no longer be held to fully account for his grievous medical mistake. His patient's rights have been taken away from the efforts of the powerful medical malpractice insurance industry.
It is unfortunate that patients must give up their rights rather than encouraging doctors and hospitals to commit less medical malpractice. Yet, it is because a future medical malpractice victim or family members do not know who they are, so few people think it important to protest the elimination of patient rights. The terrible moment of realization occurs when legitimate victims of medical malpractice find out that the medical malpractice laws directly affect them. Few people really understand the many changes that have taken place to prevent patients from holding their careless doctors accountable for needless harm and losses.
]]>Sadly, most of these fatal bike accidents can be prevented. It is important for both bicyclist and driver to recognize the mutual obligations each possesses. Like drivers, bike riders have certain obligations when traveling on or crossing streets and roadways. Indeed, being aware of one's surroundings and the dangers like those described above would greatly advance a safer biking experience.
Fortunately, bike helmet laws and the use of bike helmets have dramatically increased over the past years. While any bike crash involving a car, truck or suv can cause serious injury or death, the use of bike helmets has minimized the severity of injuries in many cases. This is especially true in low speed and glancing collisions. By providing head protection, the incidence of brain injury can be diminished. Certainly, wearing a bike helmet is a simple measure to provide an extra degree of safety for both adults and children.
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